San Francisco Launches Nation's Largest Municipal Solar Incentive

San Francisco, California, passed legislation on June 10 to implement a
10-year solar incentive program that will be the largest municipal
solar program in the United States. People and organizations that
install solar photovoltaic power systems on their properties will earn
taxable solar incentives of $3,000-$6,000 for residences, up to
$10,000 for businesses and non-profits, and up to $30,000 for nonprofit affordable housing. Residents and businesses can earn the
highest incentives by employing a solar installer that hires graduates
of the city's workforce development program. One sponsor of the
legislation claims that the new incentives will significantly expand
the use of solar energy in San Francisco, which currently has less
than 1,000 solar rooftops. See the press release from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

According to the city's assessor's office, the Solar Energy Incentive
Program is expected to launch in the near future with a budget of
$3 million, enough to provide incentives for 1.5 megawatts of solar
power on residential and business properties. In addition, a one-year
pilot program with a budget of $1.5 million will provide incentives to
nonprofit organizations and residences for low-income families. The
incentives will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis and are
assignable to the building owner, the installer, or a third party. They
apply only to new installations at existing buildings. See the assessor's press release (PDF 28 KB) and details about the subsidy on the
Web site for supporters of the measure.
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